What I Love this Week-John Dies at the End

So far, John Dies at the End is one of the weirdest, books I have ever read. I can't wait to see how it turns out and then watch the movie. I read this because I saw it being mentioned a couple of places and recognized the author as the author of this piece Six Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person, which is pretty amazing.

What I love this week-Split Decision, Mental Floss' app

Mental Floss has a trivia app called Split Decision, a question may be like this; 

"Leslie Neilson" and your choices might be Texan or Canadian. The game is a surprisingly difficult time-waster. And it's free! 

http://www.mentalfloss.com/article/12367/introducing-split-decision-app-iphone-and-android

Googles of year's past

This year's first google;
Prefab Sprout
First Google last year;
Harry's Law
2011-Minus the Bear
2010-Silverleaf Resorts
2009-iyoko inyake buffalo
2008-Bob Barker
2007-I didn't google anything on the first (!) but the first one the next day was "Tyra Banks vaseline"

Someday

I have started a Google Task list of random places I want to visit (Or in some cases, revisit).

• Weird caverns in Austin
• Lee's Grilled Cheese place
• emporium pies
• Dollywood
• Avoca
• Fred's Texas Cafe
• City Craft-Went here a couple of weeks ago. The prices were insanely high. Definitely a boutique fabric place. 
• Go to that tea room in Denton
• See the Professional
• In and out
• Hoochie's
• The Taco lady
• Dr Pepper museum
• Sneaky Pete's (I don't know)
• Metzler's
• That weird furniture shopping center on the way to Dallas
• The Dump
• Golden D'or (and surrounding fabric shops)
• GO TO SHINER TEXAS
• BUDDY HOLLY MUSEUM
• TORCHY'S 
• TOY JOY
• SCHLITTERBAHN
• barcadia in Fort Worth-Tried it out last week. I like the Dallas location better, but the Qbert was working and that is all I care about.

Crashing a premiere in Austin at the W

I highly recommend if you ever get the chance that you go to a premiere that has an after party at the W in Austin. It was absolutely beautiful (the free drinks didn't hurt either). The movie was good and I had great company. Thanks, Chris!

A paparazzo took this picture. I am not kidding.  

Things I need more of in my life

Stevie Wonder's music

Champagne (I realized after new years at Dan's)

Nutella

Bike rides (with or without the Corgi)

New Year's Resolutions 2012

Lose 15 pounds.
I know very original. I actually want to lose more, but I think this is a good start. It's a pretty reasonable goal. I am going to work out at least three times a week (preferably 4) and eat less food. What an original plan, huh?

Me, being unfashionable in the fashion district. 

Get my mile under 10 minutes regularly.
This will just involve more and more running. CONSISTENTLY. I was easily winded during today's run, but it was fun. I may need to C25K again.

Yo world! Look at me now!!

Get Mac to lose some weight.
I weighed Mac today. He weighs 35 pounds! When I got a Corgi, I knew they had problems with weight, and I always told myself he wouldn't have that problem. And now he is at least 8 pounds overweight. Kind of the same plan for him; I already switched him to weight control food and he needs to get a real walk every day.

Fat Corgi is fat

Switch my finances to some new money management system
Well, that was easy, Mint.com and datcu.org now play nice! Merry Christmas to me!

Learn to sew/quilt something

It's less ambitious than last year, but the goals are more concrete.

Short reviews of five star books from 2011

One of my favorites, a reread. I  must be a little sick. I am glad I got to share this with book club.

I actually didn't know this was a self-help book when I got it. Hardwick is so positive and entertaining, he makes you feel like you can do anything.

This year has been a great year for comedians writing memoirs. This book makes you want to go shopping with the author, or have a beer. Her tips for men's fashion is spot on.

A nice portrait of depression.

I really like the story of this, even though my friends gave me a hard time for liking it. However the art is pretty bad.

My first Irving, definitely not my last. I was lost in this world.

I didn't think it was possible, but somehow I love Tina Fey more now. This book made me laugh out loud several times and I really loved the theme of women supporting one another.

The Pluto series is the best series of graphic novels I have ever read, but then again, I have a thing for robots. Someone is killing the great robots of the world one by one, and they must be stopped. 

My favorite book this year. This book is not funny, but it is fun. The world has devolved into a world where everyone spends all their time online. This book is part mystery, part action and a small part love story. (I actually really hope this gets made into a movie, I know they have already sold the rights.)

Resolutions and Reflections

1. Run my first race. 
Well, sort of. I ran the Rahr Brewery 5K with my Cousin, but that was more of a hearty walk than real race. I will definitely be running more races soon though. 
2. Get my mile under ten minutes regularly. 
 Yeah, this didn't happen and will probably be on my list for next year. 
3.Get my MLS.
I finished school (again!)! Now time to find a job. 
4. Go to that fondue place. 
Did it! Almost did it twice.
5. Get Mac into some sort of Activity. 
I didn't really do this. I looked into some agility, but I would really like to take him somewhere to learn herding skills. It is so awesome when you see an animal that is doing exactly what is bred into them. 
6. Meet more people.
This was kind of a silly goal, because it is not specific or measurable. I do feel like I have met a lot of people this year though. 
7. Read three books in a month.
Good Reads says I have read 69 books this year so far (heh heh). So I guess I nailed it. 
8. Get my crosswords under ten mintues regularly.
They are at about ten minutes. 
9. Get back into competitive scrabble.
Didn't do it. I am not really  sad about it. 
10. Some sort of advancement in my current position at work. 
Blargh, my review comes up next month. However, I have learned many new skills. 
11. Seriously unclutter the kitchen. 

Did it! And redid it last night. I do need to purchase some new dishes and some under counter organization, but this happened. 

Ultimately, the things I didn't succeed at were things I didn't care about. If I had really asked myself at the beginning of the year if I really wanted to make these things happen, I probably would have said no. (With the exception of #10) 

For 2012, I plan to make goals more specific and measurable and also map out steps I need to take to achieve them. Overall though, I am pretty happy with how things turned out. 

Two sentence reviews of all the four-star books I have read this year

It's Lonely in the Modern World: The Essential Guide to Form, Function, and Ennui from the Creators of Unhappy Hipsters

More than a blog turned book, this book was very informative.

The Internet is a Playground

This guy is an asshole. It is hilarious. 

The Night Circus

A good book, but I love the circus. It could have been a bit shorter. 

This Year I Will...: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True

I must have read this earlier in the year because I don't remember it. Apparently I liked it ok though. 

Traffic

Thanks to both Adam and Howard for recommending this. If you drive at all , this is a pretty interesting read. 

 

101 Things I Learned in Film School

I really like this series, but wish there were more. It takes an expert in the field (cooking, architecture) and teaches the basics one might learn in a 101 class. 

Things I've Learned From Women Who've Dumped Me

I do not remember reading this. I guess I like Andy Richter? 

Kafka on the Shore

Murakami, nuff said. 

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Read this before lunch for an appetite suppressant. This was interesting and disturbing.

PLUTO 001

I love this series. I think this is the only one that got four stars instead of five. 

Wilson

Humor and loneliness, together at last. 

Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?: Bodies, Behavior, and Brains--the Science Behind Sex, Love, and Attraction

Yay! Psuedo-science!

Damn You, Autocorrect!: Awesomely Embarrassing Text Messages You Didn't Mean to Send

Giving this four stars seems generous, but oh well. I guess it made me laugh. 

Summer Blonde 

Need to read more from this author. 

Zombie Spaceship Wasteland

Not so many chuckles, but thoughtful. This year was a great year for comics writing books.

 

Drinking at the Movies

I may have to read more of her books. She has books called The Fart Party volumes 1 & 2.

The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide

I am looking up ideas for good tattoos to cover up my crappy one. This book was a good start. 

Exploiting My Baby: Because It's Exploiting Me

I am not the target demo for this, but I still find it hilarious. I sort of love this author. 

Simpler Living: Over 1,500 Ways to Simplify, Streamline, and Remake Your Life

This is one of those books you read because you want to be a different person. Obviously, I am still a slob.